LEWISTON — Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District has received a grant to develop training workshops for agricultural professionals to reduce agricultural emissions.

The collaborative effort includes AVSWCD, Maine Department of Agriculture, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Department of Conservation, Maine Association of Conservation Districts, Maine Farm Bureau, Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation District, Maine Rural Partners, Manomet Maine Center for Conservation, AgMatters and farmers.

They have been working on an agricultural greenhouse gas emissions reductions and a “green certification” program development for more than a year. The group is also working with New England Farmers Union to implement a regional agricultural carbon offset market as a means to increase income to local farms. The goal is to develop a practical, comprehensive whole farm program to help maintain or increase farm sustainability and benefit the environment.

In addition to the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education grant, a related Farm Credit Northeast AgEnhancement Grant has also been received for development of the agricultural program to increase economic viability of farms while decreasing energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and their carbon footprint.

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